Virtual subscriber identity module for network connection

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a virtual subscriber identity module (vSIM) for network connection. The vSIM includes a memory and at least one processor. The memory is configured to store a remote SIM (rSIM) implemented as a software card. The at least one processor is coupled to the memory and configured to: register to a first network and download a vSIM profile from a vSIM server via the rSIM; and complete a registration to a second network using the vSIM profile for activating a vSIM service to connect to the second network. The present invention further provides an apparatus including the vSIM, a vSIM server for communicating with the apparatus, and a method performed by the apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/243,606 filed on Apr. 29, 2021, which claims thebenefit of China Patent Application No. 202110356373.2 filed on Apr. 1,2021. The contents of all above-named applications are fullyincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The invention relates to a vSIM module, and more particularly, to a vSIMmodule for a portable apparatus.

BACKGROUND

With the development of network technology, many apparatuses can beconnected to a network to obtain more network services. Currently,portable apparatuses can be connected to a network via an SIM card oreSIM technology.

However, the current SIM card or eSIM technology does not allow theuser's portable apparatus to access other networks within a country, andcan only access a network provided by a network service provider throughthe SIM card or eSIM profile provided by the network service provider.If the user intends to access other networks, he/she needs to purchase aSIM card or subscription provided by other network service providers,and manually replace the SIM card or eSIM profile in the portableapparatus so as to access the networks provided by other network serviceproviders.

In addition, the current SIM card or eSIM technology does not allow theuser's portable apparatus to access networks in a different country. Ifthe user intends to access networks in a different country, he/she alsoneeds to purchase a SIM card or subscription provided by network serviceproviders in a different country, and manually replace the SIM card oreSIM profile in the portable apparatus so as to access the networksprovided by network service providers in a different country.

In addition, the current SIM card module or eSIM module has adisadvantage, that is, a dedicated SIM management program and a complexdriver (e.g., MBIM driver) need to be developed in the operating system(e.g., Windows operating system or Chrome operating system) of theuser's portable apparatus so as to manage the SIM card and networkconnection information.

Due to the above disadvantage of the current SIM card module or eSIMmodule, it causes inconvenience to developers at the development sideand to users at the use side.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to a virtual subscriber identity module (vSIM) fornetwork connection. The vSIM may be embedded in or externally connectedto the apparatus and may achieve the advantage that the apparatus canaccess other networks within a country or access networks in a differentcountry without manually replace the SIM card. In addition, thedeveloper does not need to develop a dedicated SIM management programand a complex driver in the operating system of any apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a vSIM for anapparatus is provided. The vSIM includes a memory and at least oneprocessor. The memory is configured to store a remote SIM (rSIM)implemented as a software card. The at least one processor is coupled tothe memory and configured to: register to a first network and download avSIM profile from a vSIM server via the rSIM; and complete aregistration to a second network using the vSIM profile for activating avSIM service to connect to the second network.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatusis provided. The apparatus includes a slot and a vSIM module. The vSIMmodule includes a connector, a memory, and at least one processor. Theconnector is configured to connect to the slot. The memory is configuredto store an rSIM implemented as a software card. The at least oneprocessor is coupled to the memory and the connector and configured to:register to a first network and download a vSIM profile from a vSIMserver via the rSIM; and complete a registration to a second networkusing the vSIM profile for activating a vSIM service to connect to thesecond network.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a vSIM serverfor communicating with an apparatus is provided. The vSIM server isconfigured to provide a vSIM profile to the apparatus. The apparatusincludes a vSIM and connects to the vSIM server via an rSIM implementedas a software card stored in a memory of the vSIM. The vSIM profileallows the vSIM of the apparatus to complete a registration to a networkusing the vSIM profile for activating a vSIM service to connect to thenetwork.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a methodperformed by an apparatus for connecting to a first network is provided.The apparatus includes a vSIM and the method includes: registering to asecond network and downloading a vSIM profile from a vSIM server via anrSIM, the rSIM being implemented as a software card stored in a memoryof the vSIM; and completing a registration to the first network usingthe vSIM profile for activating a vSIM service to connect to the firstnetwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent with the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vSIM module according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vSIM module embedded in a portableapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vSIM module externally connected to aportable apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a vSIM connectivity management program executedto activate a vSIM service according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings and specific implementations. It should be notedthat the present invention should not be limited to the specificembodiments described below. In addition, for the sake of simplicity,detailed descriptions of well-known technologies that are not directlyrelated to the present invention are omitted in order to preventconfusion in understanding the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , it shows a block diagram of a vSIM module 100according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vSIM module 100includes a radio frequency (RF) chip 110, a baseband processor (BP) 120,an application processor (AP) 130, an antenna 140, a connector 150, anda memory 160. The RF chip 110 is coupled to the antenna 140 and thebaseband processor 120. The application processor 130 is coupled to thebaseband processor 120, the connector 150, and the memory 160.

The memory 160 is, for example, a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium. The memory 160 stores a vSIM connectivity managementprogram 170. The vSIM connectivity management program 170 may beimplemented as instructions executed by the application processor 130.

The radio frequency chip 110 is coupled to the antenna 140 for receivingand transmitting signals.

The baseband processor 120 is configured to execute conversion between adigital signal and an analog signal, modulation or coding for digitalsignals, and the like.

The application processor 130 is configured to execute the vSIMconnectivity management program 170 to activate a vSIM service.

The connector 150 is, for example, a connector of an M.2 interface or aconnector of a USB interface, but the present invention is not limitedthereto.

In one embodiment, the radio frequency chip 110, the baseband processor120, the application processor 130, and the memory 160 may beimplemented as a System on a Chip (SoC).

Please refer to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vSIM module100 embedded in a portable apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The portable apparatus 1 includes a processor 11, aslot 12, and a memory 13. The portable apparatus 1 may be, for example,a notebook computer, a smartphone, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, atablet computer, etc. The memory 13 is, for example, a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium. The memory 13 may store an operatingsystem 14, such as Windows operating system or Chrome operating system.The processor 11 may run this operating system 14. The slot 12 isprovided in the portable apparatus 1 and is, for example, a slot of anM.2 interface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. ThevSIM module 100 can be connected to the slot 12 of the portableapparatus 1 via the connector 150 so as to be embedded in the portableapparatus 1. When the vSIM module 100 is connected to the slot 12 of theportable apparatus 1 via the connector 150, the portable apparatus 1 andthe vSIM module 100 can transmit data to each other for communication.

Please refer to FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vSIM module100 externally connected to a portable apparatus 2 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The portable apparatus 2 includes aprocessor 21, a slot 22, and a memory 23. The portable apparatus 2 maybe, for example, a notebook computer, a smartphone, a smart watch, asmart bracelet, a tablet computer, etc. The memory 23 is, for example, anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 23 may storean operating system 24, such as Windows operating system or Chromeoperating system. The processor 22 may run this operating system 24. Theslot 22 is provided in the portable apparatus 2 and is, for example, aslot of a USB interface, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. The vSIM module 100 can be connected to the slot 22 of theportable apparatus 2 via the connector 150 so as to be externallyconnected to the portable apparatus 2. When the vSIM module 100 isconnected to the slot 22 of the portable apparatus 2 via the connector150, the portable apparatus 2 and the vSIM module 100 can transmit datato each other for communication.

Please also refer to FIGS. 2,3 and 4 . FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a vSIMconnectivity management program 170 executed to activate a vSIM serviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step S1110, an rSIM (Remote SIM) is loaded. In one embodiment, therSIM may be implemented as a physical card and inserted into a card slot(not shown) of the portable apparatus or the vSIM module 100. In anotherembodiment, the rSIM may be implemented as a software card and stored inthe memory of the vSIM module 100. The rSIM is configured to connect toa network before downloading a vSIM profile from a vSIM server, andconfigured to assist in completing a vSIM authentication (for example, avSIM authentication request is transmitted to the vSIM server via therSIM, and a vSIM authentication reply is received from the vSIM servervia the rSIM) in a procedure where the vSIM searches for the network.

In step S1120, a network is searched via the rSIM.

In step S1130, it is determined whether the rSIM successfully registersto the network. If yes, execute step S1140, and if no, return to stepS1120.

In step S1140, rSIM data is activated.

In step S1150, a vSIM profile is downloaded from a vSIM server.

In step S1160, a vSIM is loaded. The vSIM may be a software card andstored in the memory of the vSIM module 100.

In step S1170, the network is searched via the vSIM.

In step S1180, it is determined whether a vSIM authentication request isreceived from the network. If yes, execute step S1190, and if not,return to step S1170.

In step S1190, the vSIM authentication request is transmitted to a vSIMserver via the rSIM.

In step S1200, a vSIM authentication reply is received from the vSIMserver via the rSIM.

In step S1210, the vSIM authentication reply is transmitted to thenetwork via the vSIM.

In step S1220, a registration to the network is completed via the vSIM.

In step S1230, a vSIM service is activated (for example, a networkprovided by a foreign network service provider is connected).

In addition, in one embodiment, the vSIM module 100 for a portableapparatus disclosed in the present disclosure may operate together witha vSIM application program. Please refer to FIG. 2 . Referring to FIG. 2, the vSIM application program may be installed on the operating system14 of the portable apparatus 1 and stored in the memory 13 (not shown),and the processor 11 may run the vSIM application program. The vSIMapplication program is configured to provide the user with variousmanagement and control functions for the vSIM so as to provide the userwith a better use experience. In one embodiment, the various managementand control functions for the vSIM include, for example, managements andcontrols for the name of the operator to which the current vSIM belongs,the Cell ID in which the vSIM resides, and the signal strength, and thelike.

In this way, the vSIM module 100 for a portable apparatus disclosed bythe present disclosure can be embedded in or externally connected to theportable apparatus, and can activate a vSIM service so as to achieve theadvantage that the portable apparatus can access other networks within acountry or access networks in a different country without manuallyreplace the SIM card. In addition, the developer does not need todevelop a dedicated SIM management program and a complex driver (e.g.,MBIM driver) in the operating system of a portable apparatus to managethe SIM card and network connection information.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.However, the specific structure is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed above, and the present invention also includes any designchanges without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Inaddition, various modifications can be made to the present inventionwithin the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained byappropriately combining the technical means disclosed in differentembodiments are also included in the technical scope of the presentinvention. In addition, components having the same effect described inthe above embodiments may be substituted for each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A virtual Subscriber Identity Module (vSIM) foran apparatus, the vSIM comprising: a memory configured to store a remoteSIM (rSIM) implemented as a software card; and at least one processorcoupled to the memory and configured to: register to a first network anddownload a vSIM profile from a vSIM server via the rSIM; and complete aregistration to a second network using the vSIM profile for activating avSIM service to connect to the second network.
 2. The vSIM according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:search for the second network using the vSIM profile and receive a vSIMauthentication request from the second network while searching for thesecond network; and perform a vSIM authentication procedure via the rSIMin response to receiving the vSIM authentication request.
 3. The vSIMaccording to claim 2, wherein the vSIM authentication procedurecomprises: transmitting the vSIM authentication request to the vSIMserver via the rSIM; receiving a vSIM authentication reply from the vSIMserver via the rSIM; and transmitting the vSIM authentication reply tothe second network using the vSIM profile.
 4. The vSIM according toclaim 1, wherein the vSIM further comprises: a radio frequency chipcoupled to an antenna of the apparatus; and a connector configured toconnect with a slot of the apparatus.
 5. The vSIM according to claim 4,wherein the slot and the connector comprise an M.2 interface, and thevSIM is configured to be embedded in the apparatus.
 6. The vSIMaccording to claim 4, wherein the slot and the connector comprise aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) interface, and the vSIM is configured to beexternally connected to the apparatus.
 7. The vSIM according to claim 1,wherein the memory is further configured to store a vSIM connectivitymanagement program executable by the at least one processor.
 8. Anapparatus, comprising: a slot; a virtual Subscriber Identity Module(vSIM), comprising: a connector configured to connect to the slot; amemory configured to store a remote SIM (rSIM) implemented as a softwarecard; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and the connectorand configured to: register to a first network and download a vSIMprofile from a vSIM server via the rSIM; and complete a registration toa second network using the vSIM profile for activating a vSIM service toconnect to the second network.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: search forthe second network using the vSIM profile and receive a vSIMauthentication request from the second network while searching for thesecond network; and perform a vSIM authentication procedure via the rSIMin response to receiving the vSIM authentication request.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the vSIM authenticationprocedure comprises: transmitting the vSIM authentication request to thevSIM server via the rSIM; receiving a vSIM authentication reply from thevSIM server via the rSIM; and transmitting the vSIM authentication replyto the second network using the vSIM profile.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises anantenna, and the vSIM further comprises a radio frequency chip coupledto the antenna.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the slotand the connector comprise an M.2 interface, and the vSIM is embedded inthe apparatus.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein thememory is further configured to store a vSIM connectivity managementprogram executable by the at least one processor.
 14. A virtualSubscriber Identity Module (vSIM) server for communicating with anapparatus, configured to: provide a vSIM profile to the apparatus, theapparatus comprising a vSIM and connecting to the vSIM server via aremote SIM (rSIM) implemented as a software card stored in a memory ofthe vSIM, wherein the vSIM profile allows the vSIM of the apparatus to:complete a registration to a network using the vSIM profile foractivating a vSIM service to connect to the network.
 15. The vSIM serveraccording to claim 14, wherein the vSIM profile further allows the vSIMof the apparatus to: search for the network using the vSIM profile andreceive a vSIM authentication request from the network while searchingfor the network; and perform a vSIM authentication procedure via therSIM in response to receiving the vSIM authentication request.
 16. ThevSIM server according to claim 15, wherein when the vSIM of theapparatus performs the vSIM authentication procedure, the vSIM server isconfigured to: receive the vSIM authentication request from the vSIM ofthe apparatus; and transmit a vSIM authentication reply to the vSIM ofthe apparatus.
 17. A method performed by an apparatus for connecting toa first network, the apparatus comprising a virtual Subscriber IdentityModule (vSIM), and the method comprising: registering to a secondnetwork and downloading a vSIM profile from a vSIM server via a remoteSIM (rSIM), the rSIM being implemented as a software card stored in amemory of the vSIM; and completing a registration to the first networkusing the vSIM profile for activating a vSIM service to connect to thefirst network.
 18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:searching for the first network using the vSIM profile and receiving avSIM authentication request from the first network while searching forthe first network; and performing a vSIM authentication procedure viathe rSIM in response to receiving the vSIM authentication request. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein the vSIM authentication procedurecomprises: transmitting the vSIM authentication request to the vSIMserver via the rSIM; receiving a vSIM authentication reply from the vSIMserver via the rSIM; and transmitting the vSIM authentication reply tothe first network using the vSIM profile.
 20. The method of claim 17,further comprising. executing a vSIM connectivity management programstored in the memory of the vSIM.